{{short description|American rapper (born 1998)}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Sheff G | image = Sheff G.png | caption = Sheff G in 2020 | birth_name = Michael Kyle Williams | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|09|23}} | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| *East Coast hip hop *Brooklyn drill }} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}} | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2017–2025 | label = {{hlist|Winners Circle|RCA<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sleepy Hallow |url=https://winnerscirclestore.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005160158/http://www.winnerscirclestore.com/ |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2020 |website=rcarecords.com}}</ref>}} | website = {{URL|winnerscirclestore.com/}} }}
'''Michael Kyle Williams''' (born September 23, 1998), known professionally as '''Sheff G''',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CMcqrergARq/?igshid=bzyi2tpep4bs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/sheff_g/2530084796508406890_2530084791492043135 |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=sheff_g |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref> is an American rapper.<ref name="pitchfork">{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |title=Sheff G Made Drill the Sound of Brooklyn |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/sheff-g-made-drill-the-sound-of-brooklyn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704124615/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/sheff-g-made-drill-the-sound-of-brooklyn/ |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=Pitchfork|date=May 2019 }}</ref> He rose to fame with his 2017 single "No Suburban", which was a response to the song "Suburban" by 22Gz. 22Gz response with a song titled "Retaliation", and Sheff G responded with "No Suburban Pt.2 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |title=Sheff G Made Drill the Sound of Brooklyn |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/sheff-g-made-drill-the-sound-of-brooklyn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704124615/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/sheff-g-made-drill-the-sound-of-brooklyn/ |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=Pitchfork |date=May 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref> Williams is widely known as one of the vanguards of the Brooklyn drill movement.<ref name="pitchfork" /> On May 16, 2023, Williams was indicted with 31 other purported gang members responsible for several shooting incidents and at least one murder over a two-year span.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rapper Sheff G Among 32 Purported Gang Members Charged In String Of Brooklyn Shootings |url=https://abc7ny.com/gang-arrest-sheff-g-michael-williams-brooklyn-shootings/13255316/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=ABC7NY}}</ref>
== Early life == Michael Williams was born on September 23, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Trinidadian mother and Haitian father.<ref name="pitchfork" /> He was raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. He was influenced and inspired to rap by listening to The Notorious B.I.G. and Chicago drill rappers like Lil Bibby and Chief Keef.<ref name="xxlmag">{{Cite web |last=Seabrook |first=Robby |date=February 12, 2020 |title=The Break Presents: Sheff G |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/sheff-g-interview-the-break/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809111311/https://www.xxlmag.com/sheff-g-interview-the-break/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2020 |website=XXL Mag}}</ref>
Before getting into music, Sheff G joined the 83 (Eight Trey) Gangsta Crips at age 12, and was imprisoned for 2 years for a felony gun charge. In 2015, he went back to prison for robbery for two years. Williams was released from prison in 2017. When asked about his childhood before rap, Williams said: "Growing up, all I was around was violence, in school, or hanging with my niggas, it was rough in the streets. I had to be protected out there, so I rolled with the 83s, we was in Flatbush especially on my block, I was a block baby you heard like niggas kno my body. I would never think rapping would be in my future. I remember in 2014, at 15, we was growing up watching GS9 the G-Stone Crips get big, and they from the 90s on the East side, and I would be like 'damn, imagine I'm like that.' But it was a dream then."
== Music career == Williams was influenced by Chicago Drill rappers Chief Keef, Lil Bibby and G Herbo. In 2017, his single "No Suburban (produced by AXL Beats)" went viral and he was credited as one of the pioneers of the Brooklyn drill music movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheff G Quietly Ushered In Brooklyn's Drill Movement & Now He's Ready For His Time |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/213571-sheff-g-quietly-ushered-in-brooklyns-drill-movement-and-now-hes-ready-for-his-time-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018185036/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sheff-g-quietly-ushered-in-brooklyns-drill-movement-and-now-hes-ready-for-his-time-news.92714.html |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=HotNewHipHop|date=October 9, 2019 }}</ref> He made a remix of "No Suburban" with GS9 affiliate rapper Corey Finesse.<ref name="respect">{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2017 |title=#PeepTheVisual: Sheff G & Corey Finesse – "No Suburban Remix" |url=https://respect-mag.com/2017/07/peepthevisual-sheff-g-corey-finesse-no-suburban-remix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220225554/https://respect-mag.com/2017/07/peepthevisual-sheff-g-corey-finesse-no-suburban-remix/ |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=RESPECT.}}</ref><ref name="lemonwire">{{Cite web |last=Romaker |first=Ian |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Shimmy Shimmy Ya - Sheff G climbs from the New York underground |url=https://lemonwire.com/2018/05/04/shimmy-shimmy-ya-sheff-g-climbs-from-the-new-york-underground/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224075050/https://lemonwire.com/2018/05/04/shimmy-shimmy-ya-sheff-g-climbs-from-the-new-york-underground/ |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=LemonWire}}</ref>
Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow and Corey Finesse were previously managed by former NFL football player, Junior Galette's NuLa Entertainment.<ref name="lemonwire" /><ref name="respect" />
In 2019, he released his mixtape called ''The Unluccy Luccy Kid''.<ref name="xxlmag" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheff G: The Unluccy Luccy Kid |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sheff-g-the-unluccy-luccy-kid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718230314/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sheff-g-the-unluccy-luccy-kid/ |archive-date=July 18, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> His label Winners Circle Entertainment was founded in the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Winners Circle Entertainment Announces Partnership With RCA Records Sheff G & Sleepy Hallow Release New Record "Tip Toe" |url=https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/winners-circle-entertainment-announces-partnership-with-rca-records-sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-release-new-record-tip-toe#:~:text=Incorporated%20in%202019,%20Winners%20Circle,and%20Karel%20%E2%80%9CWhite%E2%80%9D%20Jorge.|access-date=2021-11-30|website=www.sonymusic.ca|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130222803/https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/winners-circle-entertainment-announces-partnership-with-rca-records-sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-release-new-record-tip-toe#:~:text=Incorporated%20in%202019,%20Winners%20Circle,and%20Karel%20%E2%80%9CWhite%E2%80%9D%20Jorge.|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2020, he released his debut studio album called ''One and Only''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheff G: One and Only |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sheff-g-one-and-only/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719011620/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sheff-g-one-and-only/ |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> His single "No Suburban, Pt. 2" went viral with over 21 million streams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Sheff G x Sleepy Hallow Announce RCA Deal and Sample Tiny Tim's Tip Toe |url=https://respect-mag.com/2020/08/sheff-g-x-sleepy-hallow-announce-rca-deal-and-sample-tiny-tims-tip-toe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915205456/https://respect-mag.com/2020/08/sheff-g-x-sleepy-hallow-announce-rca-deal-and-sample-tiny-tims-tip-toe/ |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=RESPECT.}}</ref> It was later certified Gold by RIAA in 2022.<ref name=RIAA>{{Cite certification|region=United States|artist=Sheff G|access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>
On July 17, 2020, he releases his EP ''Just 4 Yall'', composed by 5 songs which includes songs "Picasso" feat Chicago drill rapper King Von, Jay Critch and Eli Fross; "Say That" ft Rich The Kid; and "Make It Happen" ft Sleepy Hallow.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2020 |title=Sheff G Unveils New EP 'Just 4 Y'all' f/ Rich The Kid, Lil Tjay, Jay Critch, and More|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/sheff-g-just-4-yall-ep-stream|website=Complex}}</ref>
In August 2020, Winners Circle Entertainment began a partnership with RCA Records.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Winner Circle Entertainment's Sleepy Hallow & Sheff G Announce Partnership With RCA Records: Exclusive |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9433088/sleepy-hallow-sheff-g-rca-records-partnership |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813020422/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9433088/sleepy-hallow-sheff-g-rca-records-partnership |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="complex">{{Cite web |title=Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow Announce RCA Records Partnership, Share New Song "Tip Toe" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-rca-records-partnership-tip-toe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915205454/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-rca-records-partnership-tip-toe |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=Complex}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2020 |title=NY Drill Stars Sheff G & Sleepy Hallow Ink RCA Deal |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57299/title.ny-drill-stars-sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-ink-rca-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915205454/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57299/title.ny-drill-stars-sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-ink-rca-deal |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheff G & Sleepy Hallow Drop "Tip Toe" Following RCA Records Announcement |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/268742-sheff-g-and-sleepy-hallow-drop-tip-toe-following-rca-records-deal-announcement-new-song |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915205455/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sheff-g-and-sleepy-hallow-drop-tip-toe-following-rca-records-deal-announcement-new-song.1988243.html |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=HotNewHipHop|date=August 12, 2020 }}</ref> Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow released the single "Tip Toe" produced by Great John, using a sample of Tiny Tim's version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips".<ref name="complex" /> It was the second Sheff G single to be certified Gold by RIAA.<ref name=RIAA/>
In December 2020, Sheff G was named "Up Now" by music streaming service Audiomack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-16 |title=Announcing: Sheff G Is #UpNow |url=https://audiomack.com/world/post/sheff-g-upnow-announcement |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Audiomack World |language=en}}</ref> "Audiomack has always been another platform for me to get to know new fans," Sheff G said regarding his selection for #UpNow. "So it has helped me expand. It's a great feeling."
On December 16, 2020, he released the mixtape ''Proud Of Me Now''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Jon|date=2020-12-16|title=Sheff G returns with new project 'Proud Of Me Now'|url=https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2020/12/16/22178174/sheff-g-proud-of-me-now-album|access-date=2021-11-24|website=REVOLT|language=en|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125000157/https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2020/12/16/22178174/sheff-g-proud-of-me-now-album|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout 2021, a multitude of singles would release including "On Go" featuring Polo G in July<ref>{{Citation|title=Sheff G - On Go Featuring Polo G (Official Video Release)| date=July 23, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PimEH7LSx_8|language=en|access-date=2021-11-25|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125000156/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PimEH7LSx_8|url-status=live}}</ref> and "Run It Up" featuring Sleepy Hallow and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie in August.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sheff G - Run It Up (Official Video) feat. Sleepy Hallow & A Boogie Wit da Hoodie| date=August 18, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsg1-8OpYKY|language=en|access-date=2021-11-25|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125000158/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsg1-8OpYKY|url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 14, 2022, he released his album called ''From the Can''. It contained 12 songs with features from Sleepy Hallow, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Polo G, Fivio Foreign, Rowdy Rebel, and Jay Bezzy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Callas |first=Brad |title=Sheff G Shares New Album 'From The Can' f/ Fivio Foreign, Polo G, and More |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/brad-callas/sheff-g-from-the-can |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>
== Legal issues == {{More citations needed|section|date=June 2025}} In high school, Williams was arrested and went on probation after firing gunshots at Brooklyn's Kings Plaza.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Holmes |first=Charles |date=October 20, 2019 |title=Rolling Loud and the NYPD Pulled 5 Rappers From the Festival. The Repercussions Are Only Beginning |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-loud-nypd-pulled-5-rappers-from-festival-repercussions-901144/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813091906/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-loud-nypd-pulled-5-rappers-from-festival-repercussions-901144/ |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref name="pitchfork" /> One week before he turned 16, in 2014, he was arrested for the first time and booked in for fighting.
On November 19, 2015, Williams was incarcerated for one year and four months in jail for a felony gun charge and robbery. Williams also stated the last time he was incarcerated was in October 2017 to January 2018, a brief stint which he explains was the reason for his break on music.
On July 15, 2021, Williams was arrested in New York City, New York for second-degree gun possession. His bail was remanded, meaning he sat behind bars until his court hearing on August 18, 2021. He pleaded guilty on October 20, 2021, and was sentenced to two years in prison. He served his sentence at Bare Hill Correctional Facility and was slated for release on June 15, 2023.
On May 16, 2023, while serving his gun possession sentence, Williams was indicted along with 31 other alleged gang members including Sleepy Hallow for a multitude of gang conspiracy charges. He completed his sentence for the gun charge and then was held without bail for the conspiracy charges and was moved to Riker's Island. The judge then set a 10 million dollar bond and 1.5 million dollar cash bail for Williams on April 19, 2024. He paid it on the same day and was immediately released from custody.
In March 2025, Williams entered a plea deal and was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder and conspiracy charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title=New York rapper who joined Trump in campaign rally pleads guilty to attempted murder |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-sheff-g-guilty-plea-attempted-murder-06265607eadecaebb74c63eb54c76639 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> He hired prison consultant Craig Rothfeld.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Richard |date=April 13, 2025 |title=Richard Johnson: Trump giddy over romance between Don Jr.'s ex and Tiger Woods |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/13/richard-johnson-trump-giddy-over-romance-between-don-jr-s-ex-and-tiger-woods/ |work=New York Daily News |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>
==Political views== On May 23, 2024, Williams spoke at a Donald Trump rally in the Bronx, wherein he expressed support for him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump appeared on stage at his Bronx rally with two rappers charged in a felony gang case |publisher=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-sheff-g-sleepy-hallow-south-bronx-4a8788eb6b07b9d561ce553b81d0347a |date=May 24, 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheff G}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century American rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians Category:Rappers from Brooklyn Category:Gangsta rappers Category:American drill musicians Category:Crips Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:American rappers of Haitian descent Category:Brooklyn drill musicians